Alarm Ordinance

The City of Claremont Municipal Code chapter 9.35 contains provisions which regulate alarm systems within the city. Among them is a requirement that a permit be obtained from the Police Department. The purpose of the permit is to ensure that alarm systems are in compliance with the alarm ordinance, and to provide necessary information to us should we have to respond to your residence or business due to an alarm activation. City of Claremont Resolution #95-148 prescribes a one-time alarm application processing fee (see current Police Department fees). There is no annual renewal fee.

Please download and fill out the Alarm Permit Application below and return it to the Police Department along with a check or money order in the amount found above, payable to the City of Claremont as soon as possible, and we will promptly process your application.

We appreciate your assistance in providing for the community's public safety by maintaining your system in proper working order. Please do not hesitate to call our Administrative Assistant if you have any questions.

The legal requirements and regulations contained in the City's ordinance and Claremont Municipal Code (CMC) 9.35 for both residential and commercial building alarm systems are summarized in the table below. Please read and familiarize yourself with the Municipal Code and table below before submitting your application.

All residents and merchants must obtain and receive
an alarm permit before installing or using an alarm. Permit applications
are available at the Police Department.

Anyone violating the alarm ordinance may have his or her permit suspended.

Alarm System Use & Settings

Audible alarms must reset automatically within 15 minutes of activation.

An
alarm must have a backup power supply that prevents activation in the
event electricity is temporarily disconnected, such as an outage caused
by a storm.

Alarm systems are prohibited from automatically
dialing the Claremont Police Department. If your system has an
automatic call feature, you can set it to call an alarm company, a
friend, or a relative.

Violations

There is a fee for false alarm activation. The Police Department will
respond to up to three false alarm activations per calendar year
without cost. After three responses, there will be a charge for each
false alarm response (see current Police Department fees)

False Alarms

Most false alarms are not caused by a problem with the alarm system. False alarms are usually caused by those using the system.

False
alarms slow police responses and can cost taxpayers money. Please help
us serve the community better by taking the time to review this
information with everyone who uses your alarm system.

Eight Ways to Prevent False Alarms:

Train each person who
will be using the alarm system and anyone with access to your alarmed
building/structure, including neighbors, janitors, and others who only
use the system occasionally. Have each person actually turn the system
on and off—don’t just explain it to him or her verbally. If you change
the code, be sure everyone with access is notified.

Know how to
cancel a false alarm. Have your alarm company's phone number handy and
memorize the code number or password needed to cancel a false alarm.

before
turning on the alarm, check all doors and windows to be sure they are
closed and locked, even if they are not on the alarm. Some alarm sensors
can be affected by wind gusts, noise, birds, and animals, which can
enter through unprotected openings.

Be sure there is no motion in
areas protected by motion detectors. Balloons, moving signs, and falling
boxes can all cause false alarms. Do not allow animals in areas
protected by motion detectors unless the system was specifically
designed to work with animals present.

Don't turn off the
electrical power to the system since standby batteries only last
temporarily. Know which circuit breakers control the power to the alarm
system and don't turn them off.

Treat your alarm system with
care. Wiring and detection devices can be accidentally damaged, and
result in false alarms. Notify your alarm company of any damage and
never attempt to repair the system yourself.

If your system uses
opening and closing schedules, each alarm user should know about them.
Some businesses have alarm systems that must be turned on and off at
prearranged times each day. Opening before the scheduled opening time,
or on a day the business is scheduled to be closed, is a common cause of
false alarms. Each user must be aware of the opening and closing
schedule and also must know the proper procedure for opening outside
normally scheduled hours.